Our Viewpoint Editorials
County needs more deputies on streets

As this week's Democratic debates kicked into high gear, one issue became increasingly clear for the candidates for the office of Jasper County Sheriff.

The issue - more manpower on the streets patrolling Jasper County.

All three Democratic candidates noted this during speeches to Jasper and Buna area residents and the problem might be easier stated then solved.

During the past couple of years, it has been increasingly apparent that our response time in county locations is lacking. It's not, though, due to a lack of effort at the hands of the sheriff's department.

It is mainly due to a lack of true manpower in the department.

Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride said during last Thursday's debate that on a given night, when all are healthy and not on vacation, Jasper County is being patrolled by three sheriff's deputies.

Three.

All the way from Lake Sam Rayburn to the Evadale area with only three deputies to patrol the area.

That needs to change. All three candidates pledge to work on improving this situation. Either by changing work schedules or pleading with the Jasper County Commissioner's to add more manpower to the department, the decision should be a simple one for all involved.

We believe that if you asked any resident of Jasper County what is their most pressing need, the majority would answer to feel safe in their own home.

It's time for the residents of Jasper County step up and voice their concerns over the lack of manpower to their commissioners. Don't ask for more support for the sheriff's department but demand it.

Jasper County needs more deputies on its streets. Our residents need to feel safe in their homes. Promises or no promises, without the county adding money to this needed process, this measure will fall short of its intended goal year after year.

Like it or not, this county has a drug problem. With proper manpower, any of our sheriff's candidates will do a good job taking on this battle. Keeping the status quo on manpower, and you will have the incumbent sheriff trying to explain why this problem hasn't gone away four years from now.